I’ve had some memorable times in Las Vegas over the years, as Sin City has always been about creating over-the-top experiences with all the gambling and wild nightlife. But on this last trip I tried something new and exhilarating that I’ll remember for years!

I was invited to check out the all-new Machine Guns Vegas (MGV), a unique attraction that will soon be on most to-do lists for guys visiting Vegas. MGV combines a VIP ultra lounge setting with the ultimate firearms experience. The selection of guns you can shoot will blow your mind, so it’s perfect for gun enthusiasts along with first-timers who want to feel the thrill of firing these powerful weapons.

I’m the latter. I’d never shot a gun before even though I’d always wanted to try it. Now I’d get my chance, but it wouldn’t be with a simple handgun. I was going to shoot three badass, fully-automatic machine guns, and I couldn’t wait to try it.

As soon as you arrive at MGV you enter into a spacious and comfortable lounge area where you can relax and get ready. The staff is very professional and you can pick all sorts of packages for your experience. Guests are matched with a shooting host who uses interactive multimedia displays on an iPad to showcase each of the shooting experiences offered. Long lines are not an issue here as you can relax in the lounge while you pick your experience and wait your turn. My experience would consist of three machine guns – the M4 5.56 (US), the MK-47 (Russian) and the HK MP5 9MM (German).

After talking to my instructor, we decided to go with the biggest gun first, the M4 5.56 carbine fully automatic machine gun. The M4 is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, sharing 80% of the parts, but it’s still a beast. It’s used by the U.S. military and is slated to replace the M16 for many combat units in the army. The instructor explained the proper way to shoot the gun. The stance is critical, as you don’t want this thing to knock you back when you fire. Balance and leverage is important as you keep your right foot back and prepare yourself to lean forward as you press the trigger. The instructor then sent out the target and I was ready to go.

It’s hard to describe the rush I felt the first time I pulled the trigger and let loose a blaze of bullets. My form was good but the gun pushes you back and the front end naturally rises up and to the right as you shoot. But the more I practiced, the more I got the hang of it, and each round I unleashed got easier to handle. I don’t think I’ll win any awards for accuracy but you hardly need to be a sharpshooter to do serious damage with the M4!

Next we turned to the infamous AK-47. The original AK-47 was one of the first assault rifles to be manufactured six decades ago and it’s still the most commonly used assault rifle in the world. It’s been manufactured countries all over the world and has been used by various armies, revolutionaries and terrorist organizations. More AK-type rifles have been created than all other assault rifles combined. I was shooting a fully automatic Russian version. While it wasn’t didn’t feel as big or powerful as the M4, it still had some serious kick to it. But after the M4 I was able to control this one much more quickly while still experiencing the awesome power of shooting a badass machine gun. I was having a blast!

The last gun was the HK MP5 9MM submachine gun. After the first two guns I almost felt like a pro shooting this one. It was much lighter and easier to handle, and from the beginning I was very accurate with this model. I felt like I could keep shooting it all day. I had brought along one of our Bullz-Eye models, the beautiful Brittany Myers, and she wanted to give it a try as well, so I had her shoot some rounds with this last gun. She didn’t have the advantage of starting with the heavier guns, but she did great as she tore into the target with a flurry of bullets.

As we walked out of the shooting area, we both left with huge smiles on our faces. The experience is truly exhilarating, and regardless of your experience level you can’t help but have a great time.

Our hosts then showed us the VIP areas, which were even more luxurious as you can see from some of the photos above. It’s a great option for corporate events or bachelor parties as you can have total privacy.

Whether you get the VIP package or not, the overall experience is a great option for anyone coming to Vegas. The ambiance of the MGV is great either way, but it all comes down to the amazing shooting experiences, and there are so many more I want to try on future visits. You can shoot popular firearms like Rambo’s M60 machine gun or Bullet Tooth Tony’s .50 Caliber Desert Eagle Handgun from “Snatch.”

There’s a WWII experience that includes the 1911 pistol, a MP 40 submachine gun and the M3 submachine “Grease Gun.” The Mafia package includes the .22 Suppressor, the infamous Thompson submachine gun from the Prohibition era along with shotguns. There’s also a SEAL Team VI package that includes the firearms they used in the covert operation that took out Osama bin Laden. Guests are issued 20 rounds with a .22 Suppressor, the HK MR556 rifle and the choice of a squad automatic weapon (SAW) or a M60 machine gun.

You can imagine how much fun you can have here, whether you’re with a large group, a couple of buddies or even a date. Set up an appointment and they’ll pick you up in a shuttle at your hotel for the short ride from the Strip. MGV is the perfect addition to Las Vegas, as it’s extreme and luxurious at the same time. Check out their website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Book some time there and it will likely be the highlight of your trip.

Went there with some friends on a recent trip. At least on my outing, it seemed like that majority of the crowd were foreigners from countries with extremely strict gun control (if not an outright ban). They marveled at the mere idea of handling a gun.

Nice job with the research, “While it wasn’t as big or powerful as the M4, it still had some serious kick to it.” A 7.62 round is incredibly powerful, much more than the 5.56. Become a man, shoot and learn more about guns.

I see the gun fanatics are chiming in and critiquing my impressions. I guess I should have said the AK-47 didn’t “feel” as big or powerful. It was certainly easier to shoot. The instructor specifically ordered the guns for that purpose, saying the M4 would have a bigger kick, and it did.

The point here is that you don’t have to be a gun “expert” (like Tony and Nick think they are) in order to enjoy this experience. The instructor will tailor the session around your experience level.

My goal wasn’t to leave here being an expert in the various guns, but instead to enjoy the experience. Wannabe gun gurus can get into all the details, if that’s what you’re into. The point here is that it’s fun for everyone.

Actually, a 7.62×39 M43 round is an intermediate cartridge, the same as a 5.56×45 (M193 or M855). Neither is a heavy hitter in standard military form. They’re not exactly equivalents. If you want to compare apples, look at the Russian answer to the 5.56, the 5.45 x 39, which replaced the M43. Either “poodle shooter” round is probably as good or better than the M43 for wound characteristics. Remember, the Ruskies figured on taking 3 guys out for every one NATO troop they hit, for medical evac purposes. Then they fought the Muj. Muj don’t care about casualties.